John 19:14

Preparation of the passover. Gr. paraskeue tou pascha. This phrase is doubtless equivalent to the Heb. ‘ereb happesach, “eve of the Passover,” a common term in rabbinical literature designating the 14th of Nisan (see Mishnah Pesahim 4.1,5,6; 5.1; 10.1, Soncino ed. of the Talmud, pp. 243, 271, 273; 287; 532; cf. Pesahim 1.1,3; 3.6; 4.7; 5.4,9; 7.9, Soncino ed. of the Talmud, pp. 1,46; 232; 275; 317, 318; 430).

The expression may be compared with “eve” of the Sabbath, by which the Jews designated the day before the Sabbath, for which the equivalent Greek expression is paraskeue (Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54). Paraskeue is still the name for Friday in modern Greek. In the crucifixion year the paraskeue for the Passover coincided with the paraskeue, or “preparation” for the Sabbath (John 19:31, 42).

Thus, John seems to designate the crucifixion day as the 14th of Nisan. Those who hold that the crucifixion took place on the 15th of Nisan explain “preparation of the passover” to mean the Friday of the Passover week. Such a usage cannot be demonstrated elsewhere. For the day before the Sabbath, John elsewhere uses paraskeue (vs. 31, 42). For a discussion of the problem of the day of the crucifixion see Additional Notes on Matthew 26, Note 1.

The Talmudic reference to the death of Jesus reads thus: “On the eve of the Passover Yeshu [Jesus] was hanged. . . . Since nothing was brought forward in his favour he was hanged on the eve of the Passover!” (Sanhedrin 43a, Soncino ed., p. 281).

Sixth hour. Probably Roman time, that is, about 6:00 o’clock in the morning. John’s Gospel was written near the close of the century, and chiefly for Gentile believers (see on ch. 1:38). Here he gives the time in terms familiar to them (see on Matt. 27:45). Elsewhere, he seems to reckon the hours of the day from sunrise rather than from midnight (see chs. 4:6, 52; 11:9).

Behold your King! Doubtless an ironical thrust at the Jews.